Thanks, Zoe, that's interesting and helpful. That 'somewhat haughty tone'
you speak of is something that used to bother me when I thought it was due
to a flaw in Thomas's sympathies. Would be glad to hear more about the
barddic influence on him, some time.
best joanna
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zoe Brigley" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: Poem: A Refusal To Mourn The Death, By Fire, Of A Child In
London by Dylan Thomas
Interesting stuff. Being Welsh, Dylan Thomas has always been a great
influence on me. I can see why Alison relates Dylan Thomas to Van Gough -
there is a certain primal energy as Peter suggests. However, I tend to think
that Thomas' poetry is more intricate than Van Gough's painting.
I don't disagree with Sitwell's comments, but they don't say much about how
Thomas fits into the Welsh tradition. The bardds (bards) of Wales had an
important relationship with the holy force of nature and I think that Thomas
fits very well into this tradition. 'A Refusal to Mourn' is a variation on a
traditional Welsh praise poem. It also adopts the somewhat haughty tone of
the Welsh bardds in that it is a rebuke to those who do utter a sound.
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